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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you've had a smear this year

92 replies

XEbonyrose1X · 24/10/2020 14:53

How long did your results take? I had mine Tuesday and the nurse said 8-12 weeks. Due to covid ofcourse!

Has anyone found they come quicker? Seems ages to wait.

I've been having irregular bleeding and pain in my pelvis. I can't be refered until my smear results are up to date. So it's looking like a 3 month wait to getting any further.

OP posts:
WhenDoISleep · 24/10/2020 16:16

Had one in Feb - results didn't come back till late June.

SonjaMorgan · 24/10/2020 16:16

Yes I have and my results took a week.

MrsJBaptiste · 24/10/2020 16:17

I had mine on Wednsday and the nurse said the results should come through within 2-3 weeks. She said they're much faster than they used to be (10-12 weeks) which is weird in Covid times!

Roominmyhouse · 24/10/2020 16:18

I had mine on 29th September and got the result this week. The nurse warned me it could be 8 weeks as they had a problem with getting something needed to process the tests but that must have been sorted.

ChronicallyCurious · 24/10/2020 16:20

Mind took around 3 weeks

Rubi87 · 24/10/2020 16:22

@XEbonyrose1XI had mine in September and took just under 4 weeks, I live in Nottinghamshire and I think it’s the same lab so hopefully you won’t be waiting long
@Mytimetokillandmaim I’m also 33 and only just had mine done so I know exactly how you feel. I was very nervous but spoke it through with the nurse ( she was lovely) and it was over so quickly. I can honestly say not having to worry about it now is a way better feeling than knowing I should get it done. I also had a bit of a traumatic experience before which meant I didn’t go but I can honestly say it was fine ( msg me if you want me to tell you anymore ) xx

yelyah22 · 24/10/2020 16:23

I had one in January, got my results in April. That seems to be standard round where I am (Manchester) - it always takes ages!

AriesTheRam · 24/10/2020 16:23

Yes I got results back within a couple of weeks,had to have a colposcopy but all good now

Keha · 24/10/2020 16:26

Yorkshire, results in a couple of weeks.

Original poster
XEbonyrose1X · 24/10/2020 16:40

I can't believe how much it varies.

I heard they also check the hpv first. But they definitely did a smear on me and I hope of they don't check it they are confident I'm ok.

I have no idea where my bleeding comes from but it feels like the source of pain is the left side of my pelvis around the uterus, ovary and hip.

So I'm wondering
Cysts
Fibroids
Endometriosis.

I know I have one small fibroid but they always say that won't be causing any issues.

@Mytimetokillandmaim

Yes hopefully it's an option in Ireland. It's not just superdrug though so you should be able to find one somewhere quite easily.

I totally understand. It's very easy to judge people for not having it done. But having such an invasive procedure can be daunting for many different reasons. It definitely didn't hurt.
I also feel relieved that I did it. Because family were also giving me grief about it. In the end it feels like everytime you have any issues the smear comes up. So now I'm hoping I can get the help I need.

OP posts:
Mytimetokillandmaim · 24/10/2020 16:46

Rubi87 thanks so much you're very kind.
It is ridiculous to put it off because of nerves...because you then end up stressed and nervous anyway every time you think of it,see an ad or read about it on mumsnet etc.
Thank you for the reassurance.

I have found a HPV test I can order online,I will do that and then force myself to book a real appointment to have all checked. Hopefully I don't chicken out again 🙄

Mytimetokillandmaim · 24/10/2020 16:50

XEbonyrose1X
Thanks a million I have found a test to order!
I hope all comes back clear for you. Congrats on actually doing it.
I shall think of you ladies every time I attempt to put it off. I'm not even afraid it will hurt ..I think it's just that moment having to..let them there. I feel like I just wont open my legs😅 or worse..kick someone through reflex!Grin

Rubi87 · 24/10/2020 16:56

They only check for HPV now my nurse was telling me so if that is negative they don’t look for abnormal cells. I don’t know if they online tests for hpv are the same Level of effectiveness as the smear or not, I didn’t know you could even get those 👍 xx

Original poster
XEbonyrose1X · 24/10/2020 17:19

The superdrug one tests for several HPV strains. All the ones known to sometimes lead to cancer. You basically put s swab inside and I think circle it inside. Then drop it straight in a tube and seal up. It goes to the same lab as the NHS use. It's around £45 I think. So it is as good but obviously it's free at the drs x

OP posts:
KatieB55 · 24/10/2020 17:38

I thought symptoms should lead to referral regardless of smear status - you need to ask for referral.

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 24/10/2020 17:42

@XEbonyrose1X

The superdrug one tests for several HPV strains. All the ones known to sometimes lead to cancer. You basically put s swab inside and I think circle it inside. Then drop it straight in a tube and seal up. It goes to the same lab as the NHS use. It's around £45 I think. So it is as good but obviously it's free at the drs x
If that’s correct then I won’t go for a smear when it’s next due will just do the test myself and then if it comes back positive will book the smear, don’t see any point in having a smear unless they are going to check the sample.
2020iscancelled · 24/10/2020 18:17

Less than 2 weeks to get my results.

Shocking to suggest it can take months to process - covid or not covid

Honestly it’s beyond a joke the disparity

Lemonsyellow · 24/10/2020 18:22

Mine was delayed because they weren’t doing them for a while. I tried originally to get one in April or May. I don’t know when they started redoing them. I phoned up in August and got one for the next week, and results were back within a week.

olderthanilookapparently · 24/10/2020 21:16

Had my test on the 13th had the result this morning (Herts)

Chasingsquirrels · 24/10/2020 21:20

I mine in July and the results were back the following week.

TattyDevine · 24/10/2020 21:21

Nope. Just can't get through to the GP's surgery this year. Did the leave a message thing but they haven't got back. There's about 15 minutes of recorded message about Covid and not a lot else going on there and have less than 50 people per 100,000 infected round this way so I dunno.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 24/10/2020 21:22

@XEbonyrose1X

The superdrug one tests for several HPV strains. All the ones known to sometimes lead to cancer. You basically put s swab inside and I think circle it inside. Then drop it straight in a tube and seal up. It goes to the same lab as the NHS use. It's around £45 I think. So it is as good but obviously it's free at the drs x
Didn’t realise you could do that and now they only test for HPV I will do them more frequently as sounds quick and easy.
BangBux · 24/10/2020 21:22

Mine was cancelled due to Covid so I haven't be able to have it yet.

AdriannaP · 24/10/2020 21:23

Mine took about 2 weeks. South England

TattyDevine · 24/10/2020 21:23

My friend's son has a toenail that's hanging off and the toe is the size of a frikkin kiwi fruit and he limps and they won't see him either, just sent an email agreeing that in the photos it does "seem inflamed". Same GP surgery.